While teething is not a process most parents enjoy going through with their infants, it can be an exciting time to watch your baby develop his or her first teeth. From the time your baby's first teeth erupt, you will need to start caring for these teeth. Training toothpaste is one of the first dental products you should purchase for your child. Here are several things you should understand about training toothpaste.

What is Training Toothpaste?

Training toothpaste is the first type of toothpaste you should use to clean your baby's teeth. This type of toothpaste is designed for young children and is free of fluoride. Fluoride is a great ingredient for tooth health, but it is not something that should be swallowed. Young children do not understand the concept of spitting out their toothpaste, instead, they will swallow it. Training toothpaste is completely safe for a child to swallow.

When Should You Start Using Training Toothpaste?

You do not need to use any toothpaste when a baby is very young, especially when he or she does not have any teeth. As your baby begins developing his or her first teeth, you can simply wipe the teeth off with a damp cloth or brush them gently with a baby toothbrush and water. When a baby has several teeth, you can start using training toothpaste to clean his or her teeth. You will only need a small amount, and you should try to brush each tooth in his or her mouth.

When Should You Switch to Regular Toothpaste?

There are many toothpaste products available for kids. However; in most cases, training toothpaste is usually the only type that is free of fluoride. You should continue using training toothpaste to clean your child's teeth for as long as you need to. When your child is around the age of three, he or she might be able to understand how to spit out the toothpaste. At this time you can switch to regular toothpaste. You should remember not switch until your child can fully spit out the toothpaste, as swallowing fluoride can be harmful for kids.

Should You Worry About the Need for Fluoride?

Because training toothpaste does not contain fluoride, you might worry about making sure your child gets enough fluoride. While you should take this concern seriously, here are other ways you can expose your child to fluoride. Visiting a pediatric dental clinic is a great way to learn more about this.